Therapeutic device for applying vibration and heat



.11 A. DACEY May 21, 1957 THERAPEUTIC DEVICE FOR APPLYING vmaumg AND HEAT Filed Dec. 2, 1954 nIr/hlinF-i ifiiwi INVENTOR. JoH/v Ana/v 0496!! BY 5mm, Own/{Kaua ATTOR/VEI'J United States Patent THERAPEUTIC DEVICE FOR APPLYING VIBRATION AND HEAT John Aden Dacey, Detroit, Mich.

Application December 2, 1954, Serial No. 472,550

1 Claim. (Cl. 128-24.1)

This invention relates to therapeutic apparatus in the nature of body bridges.

Therapeutic apparatus in the nature of body bridges find particular utility in relieving and removing human aches and pains in the muscles and joints, in increasing blood circulation, and in generally causing the user of the apparatus to feel more invigorated.

These results are made possible by providing within the body bridge an electrically actuated vibrator. Vi-

brational movements of the vibrator are transmitted through the body bridge and thus into the body of the user. It is possible by varying the intensity of the vibrator vibrations to regulate the vibrational effects experienced by the user of the apparatus in accordance with the area of the body being treated and the desires of the user.

It is desirable for purposes of increasing the utility of body bridges that each body bridge should, in addition to its function as a vibratory medium, be further capable of transmitting heat rays to the body of the user. These heat rays act in conjunction with the vibratory impulses to more quickly and effectively remove muscular aches, increase blood circulation and step up the invigorating process.

One object of the present invention is to provide therapeutic apparatus in the nature of a body bridge wherein there is employed mechanism for causing the body bridge to vibrate and also act as a source of heat rays.

Another object of the invention is to provide a body bridge having an electrically actuated vibrator and means connected therewith for varying the intensity of vibrator vibration, whereby to regulate and control the vibrational effects experienced by the user of the body bridge.

A further object of the invention is to provide a body bridge having incorporated therein a series of heating coils and means connected therewith for varying the amount of heat produced by said coils.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claim, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3 in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the electrical system used with the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

2,792,830 Patented May 21, 1957 since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1 there will be seen to have been provided a body bridge 1 comprised of a box-like casing 2 and a removable lid 3. If desired, latch devices could be provided to releasably retain lid 3 on casing 2. Both lid 3 and easing 2 are preferably provided with a decorative fabric covering 4. Additionally, padding (not shown) may be provided between the casing or lid and covering 4.

As seen in Figure 3 one wall 5 of easing 2 is arcuately contoured as at 6 to provide an exteriorly concaved outer surface 7. Positioned exteriorly of wall portion 6 is a heating pad 8 having a series of heating: coils 9 therein. Between pad 8 and wall portion 6 is a thin sheet of aluminum foil or similar heat reflective material 12. This reflective material increases the intensity of the heat rays which are sent out from coils 9 through covering 4 and thereby increases the efficiency of the heating mechanism. Coils 9 are in electrical engagement with a combined switch and rheostat 10 having an actuating knob 11. By manual rotation of knob 11 it is possible to turn the heating pad off and on as well as vary the amount of current to the heating pad, thereby regulating the intensity of the heat rays according to the wishes of the user.

In order to provide for vibratory movement of body bridge 1 there is included at one end of casing 2 a vibrator mechanism 13. Mechanism 13 may comprise either a magnetic vibrator or the type of vibrator which operates by reason of an electric motor and unbalanced weight arrangement.

Vibrator mechanism 13 is in electrical engagement with a combined switch and rheostat 14 having an actuating knob 15. By manual rotation of knob 15 it is possible to energize and de-energize mechanism 13 and also regulate the intensity of the vibrations emitted from mechanism 13 according to the desires of the user.

The illustrated body bridge is considered advantageous in that it permits the user to experience vibrational impulses of any desired magnitude as well as heat rays of any desired intensity.

I claim: V

Therapeutic apparatus comprising a hollow elongated casing having one longitudinal planar Wall thereof arcuately contoured to provide an exteriorly concaved outer surface; vibrator means within and mounted on said casing for imparting vibratory movements thereto; a sheet of metallic heat reflective material positioned on said concaved outer surface and coextensive in area therewith; a cushion-forming pad positioned against and immovably carried on said sheet of heat reflective material, said pad being coextensive in area with said reflective sheet; heating coils extending within said pad along its entire area; and a body-engage able covering secured to the casing and overlying the outer surface of said pad.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,874,286 Gross Aug. 30, 1932 2,374,492 Mininberg Apr. 24, 1945 2,448,777 Crise Sept. 7, 1948 2,500,508 Bachin Mar. 14, 1950 2,659,365 Lewis Nov. 17, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,053,584 France .a Sept. 30, 1953 

